Roxburgh Rise Primary School is one of 32 Victorian government schools that will be even better equipped to help students meet the challenges of the 21st Century as it develops innovative learning projects thanks to a $200,000 Brumby Labor Government technology grant.

The member for Yuroke, Ms Liz Beattie MP today congratulated Roxburgh Rise Primary School which will receive $6000 from the 2009 Innovating with Technology program.

“The Brumby Labor Government knows how important information and communication technology (ICT) skills are in equipping the 21st Century students with the skills they need to get 21st Century jobs and flourish in a knowledge-rich, high-tech world,” Ms Beattie said.

“The $200,000 Innovating with Technology grant is one of many initiatives the Brumby Labor Government has committed to in improving ICT at Victorian Government schools and ensuring our students remain at the forefront of learning.

“I look forward to seeing the creative projects Roxburgh Rise Primary School and its students will produce.”

Roxburgh Rise Primary School will use its grant to develop new ways of delivering enhance literacy, numeracy, science and Languages Other Than English (LOTE) lessons  using a range of technologies including iPods, video conferencing and gaming devices.

Students and teachers will document their school’s progress and experiences while developing their project, and post the finished product on the Department of Education and Early Childhood Development website.

The Department will use the projects as a basis for researching the impact of ICT on student performance in literacy, numeracy, science or LOTE.

“We are building a better education system for the future and we are doing it physically with bricks and mortar through the biggest schools rebuilding program in the state's history and we are doing it in the classroom with better modern learning programs and new technology,” Ms Beattie said.

“Through the Brumby Labor Government’s $1.9 billion Victorian Schools Plan and the Rudd Labor Government’s economic stimulus funding for school rebuilding projects there has never been a greater effort or investment in Victorian schools and we will continue to invest in the services families need most.”

“These technology grants are yet another fantastic way that Victorian schools are continuing to deliver the best possible education to give every student every opportunity to succeed in life,” Ms Beattie said.